WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice recently announced it would intervene in a private lawsuit alleging race discrimination and retaliation under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act by Pocomoke City, Maryland, the Worcester County sheriff and the state of Maryland.

“Federal law protects against discrimination and retaliation
in the workplace,” said principal deputy assistant attorney general Vanita
Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

“In police
departments, that protection is vital not only for individual officials but
also for the communities they serve. The Justice Department is firmly
committed to ensuring that our nation’s state and local law enforcement
agencies comply with Title VII’s promise of a workplace free from racial
discrimination and retaliation.”

The case involves alleged discrimination by the defendants
against former Pocomoke City police officer Franklin Savage. Savage was
purportedly subjected to a racially hostile work environment while on a joint task
force operated by the sheriff’s office.

“No one should have to face harassment and retaliation while
at work,” said EEOC Chairwoman Jenny R. Yang. “When public employees face
discrimination, it undermines the trust and credibility in our public
institutions. This case represents the latest partnership between EEOC
and the Department of Justice to advance our shared Title VII enforcement
responsibilities.”

Want to get notified whenever we write about
U.S. Department of Justice
?

Sign-up
Next time we write about
U.S. Department of Justice,
we'll email you a link to the story. You may edit your settings or unsubscribe at any time.